Epstein‐Barr virus associated gastric carcinoma: Epidemiological and clinicopathological features

Abstract

In this paper, the roles of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in gastric carcinogenesis are discussed, reviewing mainly epidemiological and clinicopathological studies. About 10% of gastric carcinomas harbor clonal EBV. LMP1, an important EBV oncoprotein, is only rarely expressed in EBV-associated gastric carcinoma (EBV-GC) while EBV-encoded small RNA is expressed in almost every EBV-GC cell, suggesting its importance for developing and maintaining this carcinoma. In addition, the hypermethylation-driven suppressor gene downregulation, frequently observed in EBV-GC, appears to give a selective advantage for carcinoma cells. EBV reactivation is suspected to precede EBV-GC development since antibodies against EBV-related antigens, including EBV capsid antigen (VCA), are elevated in prediagnostic sera. Interestingly, the average anti-VCA immunoglobulin G antibody titer in EBV-GC patients was significantly higher among men than among women, whereas EBV-negative GC cases did not show such a sex difference. A higher frequency of human leucocyte antigen-DR11 in EBV-GCs suggests that major histocompatibility complex-restricted EBV nuclear antigen 1 epitope recognition may enhance EBV reactivation. EBV infection of gastric cells by lymphocytes with reactivated EBV is suspected to be the first step of EBV-GC development. Male predominance of EBV-GC suggests the involvement of lifestyles and occupational factors common among men. The predominance of EBV with XhoI+ and BamHI type i polymorphisms in EBV-GC in Latin America suggests a possibility of some EBV oncogene expressions being affected by EBV polymorphism. The lack of such predominance in Asian countries, however, indicates an interaction between EBV polymorphism and the host response. In conclusion, further studies are necessary to examine the interaction between EBV infection, its polymorphisms, environmental factors, and genetic backgrounds. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 195-201)

Profiles of Epstein-Barr Virus Associated Gastric Carcinomas in Brunei Darussalam

“…To date; there has been no study from Brunei Darussalam looking at EBV and gastric cancer. Our study showed that the estimated point prevalence of EBVaGC was 30.9%%, much higher than rates reported from other countries, generally around 10% of all gastric cancer (Lopes et al, 2004;Zur et al, 2004;Akiba et al, 2008).…”

“…Shibata and Weiss, in 1992 later reported that EBV involvement can also been extended to a subset of ordinary gastric carcinoma (Toshikazu et al, 1998). Studies have estimated 10% of gastric cancer to be positive, and hence associated with EBV (Lopes et al, 2004;Zur et al, 2004;Akiba et al, 2008). These findings imply that EBV may play a role in the development of EBV positive gastric cancer or EBV associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC).…”

Association between Epstein-Barr Virus Infection and Chemoresistance to Docetaxel in Gastric Carcinoma

“…However, the influence of EBV infection on GC development and treatment is still unclear. EBV-positive GC presents histologically and pathologically different features from EBV-negative GC (Akiba et al, 2008;Lee et al, 2004). EBV-positive GC exerts modulated latency 1, expressing latent genes such as EBNA1, LMP2A, BamHI-A rightward frame 1 (BARF1), and EBV-encoded RNAs (EBERs) (Imai et al, 1994;Oh et al, 2004).…”

Association Of Epstein-Barr Virus With Gastric Carcinoma Among Sudanese Patients

“…Most studies indicated that lifestyle or occupational factors may exist among males [10,23,24].The highest incidence of EBV in Gastric cancer was at (50-59) year age [21,25]. Occurrence in elderly persons and male predominance are common in EBV-associated gastric carcinomas [26].…”